Nagaland team visits Mohan Bagan & RG Kar Medical College

Nagaland Officials along with players of MB Athletics Club, IL Under 15 at Mohan Bagan Football Ground, Kolkata on 10th November 2018. (DIPR)

Dimapur, November 10: As part of the yearlong celebration in honour of legendary footballer, Dr. T Ao, the captain of Indian Football Team to London Olympics Games in 1948, a team of officials from the departments of Youth Resources & Sports, Information & Public Relations & Nagaland Football Association visited the Mohan Bagan Athletics Club and RG KAR Medical College, Kolkata on November 10.
Interacting with the officials from Nagaland, the media officer of Mohan Bagan Club, Imran Khan said that the club is honoured and delighted to remember and emulate a legendary footballer like Dr. T. Ao who hailed from far flung area of the country.
He said under the leadership and contributions of Dr T Ao, the club has won not only various tournaments but also gained fame and recognition across the country. He also said that most of the prominent football players during the early 50s and 60s were from MB Club and one such prominent player was Dr. T. Ao.
Stressing on the importance of linkage, he strongly urged the people of Northeastern states to develop a sense of cohesion and connectivity with the mainland India in order to develop oneness and live in as “unity in diversity”.
As of now, “the link between the Northeastern states and the other states of the country is missing” when it comes to oneness, he stated.
He said “education and sports” are the two most important factors to build connectivity, understanding and unity amongst the people of different regions. Therefore, he encouraged and asked them to visit places and interact with fellow friends outside the state in order to get acclaimatized with the people of other states.
For which, he suggested them to make a joint venture with the club and organise exchange programmes at the state or club level.
He further said that the north eastern people have been blessed with talent as such, he opined the importance of launching a professional football team in Nagaland and make the players competitive at par with other professional players.
He also mentioned about the proposal to naming one of their buildings in Dr. T. Ao’s name but further stated that the proposal needed further discussion.
Principal, RG KAR Medical College, Professor Dr. S. Batabyal said that the college is very fortunate to have a legendary footballer from Mohan Bagan Club who captained Indian Football Team London Olympics Games, in 1948. At the same time, he expressed his happiness that the first physician in Nagaland happened to be a product of KAR Medical College.
Dr. T Ao has been an inspiration to many and his contributions particularly in football deserves honour and appreciation, he said.
He also expressed his desire that Dr. T. Ao be still alive and see the progress and advancement of KAR Medical College. He asked his family members to pay a visit whenever they come to Kolkata.
He further said that the College has started a football tournament every year in the name of Dr. T.Ao since last year.
The team was led by Additional Director, YRS, Rato Pusa.(Page News Service)